1987 Ford F150 v8 5.0 302 automatic 123k miles
I had a similar problem a while back with this truck. After driving any distance and putting it in park, the RPMs will Spike to about 2000. A quick kick on the gas pedal will knock it back down to normal. It also happens when driving through town (35 mph or so). It was happening really harshly before and causing it to stall. This time, it just feels like I’m fighting acceleration. The mechanic ended up unplugging the IAC valve (when he unplugged it, the rpm dropped to normal, replugged and it would spike) and it’s been driving well since, up to the last few days. I had replaced the TPS around the time he did the IAC unplugging. The throttle body is clean, I make sure it doesn’t go too long without being sprayed and wipes down (did so yesterday to be thorough) and even sprayed the springs around the top of the throttle.
I’ve researched the issue and can’t find exactly what I’m experiencing, where blipping the accelerator normalizes the RPMs. I’ve gotten the same spiking rpm with and without the IAC valve plugged in, but it still runs and idles better with it unplugged